Cherryville basketball star commits to ACC school
CHERRYVILLE — About 15 minutes had passed in Cherryville’s open gym Friday, and Florida State coach Leonard Hamilton had seen enough.
He wanted Terry Whisnant.
Hamilton offered a scholarship on the spot, and Whisnant accepted a couple of hours later by phone.
“I’m real excited. I’m ready to go down there,” Whisnant said Saturday.
He’ll have to wait a year considering he’s a junior, but at least Whisnant has put in the past what could have been a gut-wrenching recruiting process.
The 6-foot-3 guard likes Florida State’s up-tempo style of play and thinks he’ll have a chance to play early in his career. He also believes he’ll receive a solid education.
“I just sat down with my family and thought about everything (Hamilton) said,” Whisnant said. “I liked how he had academics first. He makes sure his kids graduate.”
Florida State made its second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance this past season. The Seminoles finished with a 22-10 overall record and placed third in the ACC with a 10-6 record.
Whisnant had plenty of other offers from which to choose: Appalachian State, Charlotte, East Carolina, Gardner-Webb, George Mason, Richmond, Tulane, UNC Asheville, Virginia Commonwealth and Western Carolina.
Florida State was Whisnant’s top choice all along. He was simply waiting for an offer.
Seminoles assistant coaches Corey Williams and Andy Enfield had combined to attend four Cherryville games and one open gym, and Whisnant kept in touch with Williams regularly.
Hamilton made his first visit Friday and was quickly sold on Whisnant’s athleticism and long-range shooting accuracy, Cherryville coach Scott Harrill said.
Whisnant’s decision means one Gaston County boy will be playing for another. Hamilton graduated from Gastonia’s old Highland High in 1966.
“He knows what it’s like around here, so he and I can relate,” Whisnant said.
Whisnant has not visited the Florida State campus but plans to attend the Seminoles’ elite camp in June.
The 2010 Gazette player of the year, Whisnant was the area’s top scorer at 27.5 points per game. He shot nearly 51 percent from 3-point range and 54 percent from the field while also averaging 7.3 rebounds and 4.2 assists.
He was named Southern Piedmont 1A/2A Conference player of the year after leading the Ironmen to the league’s regular-season and tournament titles. He was also selected district player of the year by the N.C. Basketball Coaches Association.
“I’m proud of him, first of all,” Harrill said. “I think it’s due to his hard work and his time he’s spent in the gym. I told Coach Hamilton I sure am glad I’ve got him another year.”
Although Whisnant’s commitment isn’t binding, he said he’s firm on his decision. He plans to make it official with a national letter of intent during the NCAA’s early signing period, which begins Nov. 10.
“This is the school I’ve been thinking about,” Whisnant said. “It’s been my No. 1 choice. I finally got an offer and I was going to take it.”
You can reach Phillip Gardner at 704-869-1843.
